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PUB HLTH 7078OL - Qualitative Research Methods In Health

Online - Semester 1 - 2015

Qualitative research is concerned with exploring how people interpret and give meaning to their everyday worlds. This type of research is central to how we come to understand population health issues, as it provides historical and socio-cultural contexts for health and illness. This course comprises an introduction to the skills to review and conduct qualitative research. Students will learn how to recognise and reflect on the strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methodologies, understand the links between theory and practice, critically assess qualitative research, and address ethical and practical issues involved in conducting qualitative research. The course takes a step-by-step approach to the design and implementation of qualitative research and includes: formulating a qualitative research question; collecting, managing, and analysing qualitative data; writing and presenting qualitative findings; conducting ethical research, including writing ethics proposal for qualitative research projects.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7078OL
    Course Qualitative Research Methods In Health
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Online
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible NURSING 7002HO
    Assessment Essays, group presentation, ethical application
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jaklin Eliott

    Phone: +61 313 3855
    Email: jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 11, 178 North Terrace

    Learning & Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 2128
    Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Outline the contribution to, and characteristics of, qualitative research to population health
    2 Demonstrate the capacity to make informed ethical decisions about the conduct of population health research
    3 Critically evaluate the use of qualitative methods in population health research
    4 Recognise and describe some of the major theoretical perspectives which inform qualitative research
    5 Identify the major research methods used to collect data in qualitative research, and critique the advantages and disadvantages of each
    6 Demonstrate capacity to appropriately collect, analyse, and report on qualitative data
    7 Use terminology for the field of qualitative research correctly and contextually with appropriate referencing
    8 Demonstrate ability to work and communicate effectively with others regarding qualitative research
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3-5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4-7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-8
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Liamputtong, P. (2013) Qualitative research methods, 4th edn. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
     
    The prescribed text is integral to the course and may be purchased from Unibooks: 
    Unibooks
    The 成人大片
    ADELAIDE SA 5005
    Phone: +61 8 8223 4366 Toll free: 1800 182 003
    Fax: +61 8 8232 7315
    Email: bookshop@unibooks.com.au
    Website: www.unibooks.com.au
     
    Other essentials readings will be available in electronic format through MyUni.
    The Course Workbook will be available to students through MyUni before the course commences.
    Recommended Resources
    N/A
    Online Learning
    The course will be offered online.
     
    Access Adelaide
    Access Adelaide is the name of the online service that allows students to access and, in some cases, amend their records. It can be found at: https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp

    Students can log into Access Adelaide to view:
    · their enrolment details for any term
    · their academic results
    · their unofficial academic transcript
    · their personal details
    · the fees, charges and payments on their University account
    · their exam schedule
    · their graduation eligibility details.

    Students can:
    · change their address and telephone details (please inform the Discipline as well)
    · change their password
    · set a password clue to help them remember their password.

    Student email
    Students should set up a university email and check it regularly. Information from the course coordinator and student administration  will be sent via the 成人大片 email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check their email. Students will need their student number located on their student card to log in.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be offered completely online.

    Online learning modules (using Articulate and/or text where appropriate)
    Online learning modules covering the research methodologies and methods used to manage qualitative data, specifically  examining; the theory and principles underlying qualitative research; how to conduct qualitative research (including data collection  and analysis); and specific issues and dilemmas associated with using qualitative research. They will also develop a portfolio of  various resources designed to broaden understanding of the topic and any relevant technology. Student learning will be  self-directed.

    Moving from research question to ethics application
    As part of formative assessment, students will submit and provide feedback to others’ proposed research questions (see below).  Other written summative assessment tasks for this course will provide opportunity to develop aspects of the final assignment.

    The final assignment for students will involve submission of a completed application for ethical approval, as if to the 成人大片 Human Research Ethics Committee. Applications can be found here: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ethics/human/ 
     
    Online discussion boards
    Students will be able to post questions and answers to a discussion board associated with each of the modules. This will be  monitored by the course coordinator but students will be encouraged to answer each other’s questions.

    Peer assessment & feedback (non graded)
    Students will join/be allocated to groups to discuss and provide feedback about each other’s proposed research question. Online  asynchronous or synchronous discussion will be facilitated through MyUni using discussion boards, webchat, Collaborate or Skype  depending on the students’ preferences and availability. The discussions will be schedule to align with the related assessment tasks.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Refer to coordinator
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Lecture
    Week 1 Definitions and Ethical Aspects What is Qualitative Research
    Ethics of Qualitative Research
    Week 2 The Role of Theory
    Qualitative Research Questions
    Why use Theory in Qualitative Research?
    Developing a Qualitative Research Question
    Week 3 Evaluating Qualitative Research 1 Rigour & Validity Sampling
    Week 4 Evaluating Qualitative Research 2 Social Constructionism
    Critical Appraisal
    Week 5 Theoretical Approach 1 Critical Approaches:
    Action Research,
    Feminist & Discursive Analysis
    Week 6 Research with special populations Cross-cultural & indigenous research
    Research with vulnerable populations
    Week 7 Theoretical Approach 2
    Methodology
    Ethnography & Critical Ethnography
    Mixed Methods & Health Services Research
    Week 8 Methodology 2  Coding
    Thematic Analysis
    Week 9 Methodology 3 Interviews
    Focus groups
    Week 10 Theoretical Approaches 4
    Methodology 4
    Grounded Theory
    Transcription
    Week 11 Proposing and presenting research Developing a Qualitative Research Proposal
    Writing up your research
    Week 12 Student-directed revision Opportunity for clarification on course content or assessment
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students should have access to a reliable network connection.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning course objective(s) being addressed
    Assignment 1 Formative Nil 1,2,7,8
    Group Assessment Summative 10% 1,2,7,8
    Assignment 2 Summative 20% 1,3,7,8
    Assignment 3 Summative 30% 1-8
    Assignment 4 Summative 40% 1-8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment 1: (0%). Developing a qualitative research question
    As part of formative assessment, each student must submit a, and provide feedback on others’, qualitative research question. The
    feedback discussion will be facilitated by staff via online asynchronous or synchronous discussion tools (e.g., MyUni discussion  boards, webchat, Collaborate, or Skype, depending on student preferences and availability). This question may form the basis of  the final assignment 4, namely, a completed Ethical Application; criteria for assessment will be made available via MyUni.  This  activity will commence in Week 1, and follow through to Week 4.
     
    Group Assessment (10%).  Qualitative research with a specific special/vulnerable population
    Students will be allocated into groups to discuss and present issues associated with a ‘special population.’ Students will identify  issues associated with conducting qualitative research with their population, focusing on the potential ethical sensitivities,  reference to the NH&MRC guidelines, and practicalities involved.  Groups may use online asynchronous or synchronous discussion  tools (e.g., MyUni discussion boards, webchat, Collaborate, or Skype, depending on student preferences and availability) to  coordinate activities and create a short presentation summarising salient issues. These will be submitted by the end of Week 4.  Presentations will be made available to the student cohort, who may post questions regarding the content; presentation formats  may include narrated powerpoint, or Prezi. Assessment will include the presentation, and their responses to peer and staff questions; further instructions and criteria for assessment will be made available via MyUni.  
     
    Assignment 2: (20%). Essay: Critical Appraisal of a provided article
    Each student must submit online, via MyUni, a written critical appraisal of a nominated article (max 1000 words); further instructions and criteria for assessment will be made available via MyUni. Assignments will be submitted by the end of Week 6.
     
    Assignment 3: (30%) Essay: Coding, and thematic analysis of a short piece of provided interview data
    Students will be required to code and thematically analyse a provided transcript, providing a short introduction referring to relevant  previous research, and concluding with a summary and recommendations/implications for policy and/or practice. Further  instructions and criteria for assessment will be made available via MyUni. Assignments will be submitted online via MyUni by the end of Week 10 (max 2000 words).
     
    Assignment 4: (40%) Developing an Ethics Application for a nominated research project
    Students will complete an ethics application as if to the 成人大片 Human Ethics Research Committee for an approved  research project (project topics are provided): Forms for the application can be found at: /human/guidelines/applications Students must consider the requirements of the "National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human   Research (2007)": http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm which has sections on both Qualitative Research  and researching with particular populations.  Research with Indigenous communities, the NHMRC (and hence all Ethics Committees)  also requires consideration of "Values and Ethics - Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait   Islander Health Research": Further instructions and criteria for   assessment will be made available via MyUni. Assignments will be submitted online via MyUni by the end of Week 13.
    Submission
    Submission of Assignments
    Assignments should be submitted through the “Assignments” section of MyUni.  Instructions on how to submit an assignment in this way can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/ 

    Assignments must be submitted by 11.59 pm on the day that they are due. (note that MyUni will accept assignment after this time  but it will be marked Late.

    Feedback on assignments will be provided to students within 4 weeks of completion of the task so that students can take  advantage of this feedback. 

    Extension of Time for Assessment Items

    Up to one week
    It is expected that all assessments will be submitted by the specified time on the specified due date.

    However, students may apply for an extension of time to submit an assessment, if they are experiencing difficulty. Applications for  extension must be made to the Course Coordinator Jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au in writing (e.g. email) prior to the due date  lodgement of the assignment. Anticipate that it may take a few days to receive a reply. The grounds for granting an extension include health problems, compassionate reasons and other extenuating circumstances. Extensions will usually only be granted for  a maximum of one week, but can be longer at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Academic Progress Committee if  substantiated with evidence such as a medical certificate. Only original documents or certified copies of originals will be accepted.

    Students will be notified by email to your 成人大片 student email account of the outcome of their application. If an  extension is granted then it is the student’s responsibility to keep in contact with the course coordinator and to hand in the  assessment with a copy of the email (or other document) approving the extension.  Failure to submit an assessment item on time  without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

    Longer than one week
    Students who require an extension for longer than one week should contact the Course Co-ordinator Jaklin Eliott on  Jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au to discuss your request. If requesting an extension for longer than a week due to illness, a medical  certificate will be required.

    Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late  Submission of Work’.

    Late Submission of Work
    All assignments should be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date.

    Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each day after the due  date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent  students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

    Word Limit
    Students are advised to comply with word limits. They are, of course, not expected to achieve exactly the required length and a  10% leeway on either side is acceptable. However, a penalty of 5% of available marks will apply for word limit in excess of the 10% leeway.

    Presentation
    It is essential that students reference all written work accurately and consistently. We ask that students use the American  Psychological Society Referencing Format (APA 6) and information regarding this system can be found at  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ . 

    EndNote bibliographic software is a very useful tool for managing references and it is provided free of charge through the  university. Information about EndNote can be found at:  http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/bibsoft/ 
     
    Be aware that marks will be deducted for incorrect referencing in all assignments.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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